Well-packer plug



H- C. THRIFT WELL PACKER PLUG Junag, 1925.

original Filed April 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L15 H WVTOR.

ATTORNEY,

H. C. THRIFT WELL RACKER PLUG June 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original FiledApx-i'l 6, 192

"um llllll! ATTORNEY.

Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITED STATES HOMER C, THRIFT, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

WELL-PACKER 1 mm.

Application filed April 6, 1923, Serial- No. 630,189. Renewed January 5, 1925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER C. THRIFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, Harris County, Texas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Well-Packer Plugs. of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a packer plug to be used in sealing off the pressure of fluid from below in a well.

It is desirable, in abandoning a well, to seal off or plug the. bottom of the well so that water cannot come up in the well from the bottom to higher levels and permeate other strata which produce oil. In some localities, the rules and laws governing the production of oil require such plugging of the well and even require cementing the same before the casing can be pulled and the well abandoned.

It is an object of my invention to provide a plug which will effectively seal the well and prevent the passage of fluid upwardlyvin the casing.

Another object is to provide a means of setting such a plug which will work simply and positively, and which will be easy to operate.

Another object is to provide a plug which will effectively prevent the passage of fluid upwardly in the well, but which will allow the bottom of the well to be cemented after 7 the device is set inposition.

Other objects and advantages will more clearly-appear from the more detailed de' scription which follows.

Referring to the drawing herewith, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in central vertical sectionof the upper end of the well showing my device therein. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of my device in expanded position within a well casing. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the packer plug, partly in sectiion, and Fig. 4 is a detail-of the setting too 1 The plug, which constitutes the principal portion of my invention, comprises a central tubular mandrel 1, which is tapered upwardly from the lower end, both on its outer and inner diameters, to a oint spaced somewhat from the up er en The upper portion at 2 is cylin rical and has a threaded shank 3 at the extreme upper portion for attachment to a socket 4, by means of'which a setting tool may be releasablyconnected thereto. The socket 4, has a central opening 5 at the upper end, this opening being recessed at 6 to provide a shoulder 7 against which the setting tool may grip.

On the outer surface of the tapered mandrel, I provide a packing sleeve 8 of some expansible material, and I prefer to use some soft metal, such as lead. This sleeve is preferably slit longitudinally from adjacent the upper end downwardly to a point spaced somewhat up from the lower end. These slits 9 allow the thicker portion of the packing sleeve to better expand against the walls of the casing. I also contemplate forming small gripping teeth 10, embedded in the packer and presenting a serrated outer face against the wall of the casing so as. to ob tain a firm gripping hold thereon. These teeth are preferably of hardened steel and will act to retain the packer firmly in place.

The central passage 11 through the mandrel is of uniform diameter through the upper portion thereof, and flares out toward the bottom as shown particularly in Fig. 2. Within the flared lower portion, I fit a tapered lug 12 which is adapted to act as a valve uring the operation of the device, as will be later explained. The movement of thisvalve is in a downward direction and is limited by a transverse pin 13. The acking sleeve 8 firmly rests upon the tapered surface and extends upwardly to a point slightly below the upper end of the cylindrical portion 2. The upper end of the I sleeve 8 is beveled around the central opening therein to provide a tapered seat for an expanding ring 14 shaped like an inverted cone and fitting slidably upon the cylindrical portion 2 of the mandrel. Said ring acts to protect the acker before expansion. The ring 14 is he (1 at the upper end of said cylindrical member 2 by pins 15 extending radially through the ring andsecured within the mandrel- These pins are made of some soft or frangible material so that they are broken or sheared off when a hard blow is.

delivered against the'plate.

The setting tool, by means of which the plug is lowered to the bottom of the well, comprises a head 16, which is cylindrical in. general form and tapered upwardly at its upper end 17. Extendin arms 18,0f which I have shown three. in

- downwardly from the head 16 is a plura ity of resilient number. At their lower ends, these s ring arms are beveled outwardly to provi e releasing lugs 19. Below these lugs, the arms are extended downwardly and have latch members 20 at the lower ends provided with upper shoulders 21 adapted to engage beneath the shoulders 7 in the socket 4. The resiliency of the arms tends to hold these latch members outwardly so that, when the same are engaged within the socket 4, they will automatically remain in place until released. A suspending cable 22 is secured centrally within the head 16 of the setting tool and is secured therein by any ordinary means.

The releasing member which is used in connection with my plug is shown particularly in Fig. 2. It comprises a length of pipe 23 of an interior diameter sufiicient to telescope over the socket 4 at the upper end of the plug. It is tapered inwardly at 24 toward the upper end, and has a shank 25 of small diameter above the tapered portion. The cable is adapted to extend, downwardly through the smaller diameter and the releasing device may be suspended upon thesetting tool in the manner shown in Fig. 1 for raising or lowering the releasing member in the well.

In the use of my device, I install'a gate valve 26 at the upper end of the casing and above this valve a special nipple 27 15 secured. This nipple is of sufificient interior diameter to include the plug, the setting tool and the releasing sleeve therein. On one side of the nipple, I provide a similar gate valve 28 for testing purposes. Inside the nipple, above the valve 28, are two diametrically arran ed screws 29 set in bosses 30 in the side of the nipple, having a fluid-tight connection with the walls ofthe boss by means of the stufling box 31. There are two of these screws 29, although it is obvious that one might answer-the purpose for which they are designed. These screws project inwardly and fit within openings 32 in the side of the releasing sleeve and serve to hold it in elevated position at the upper end of the nipple as shown in Fig. 1. The cable 22 extends upwardly through a closure plate 33 and maintains a close sliding fit therewith by means of a stufiing box 34.

In the operation of this device, the tool will be assembled in the nipple. 27 in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The setting tool will be engaged within the socket 4 at the upper end ofthe plu and will be suspended within the nipple. The releasing sleeve 23 will be secured by means of the supporting screws 29 in position at the upper endof the nipple. While this installation is being made, the gate valve 26, of course, will be closed to shut off the high ressure from the lower portion of the we 1. When the installation has been properly made, the cap 33 will be secured on the upper end of the nipple so as to prevent the escape of fluid at that point and the valve 28 closed. When this has been ,done, the gate valve 26 may be opened and the device lowered past the valve down through the casing to the desired position in the well. The fluid present in the well will not interfere with the lowering of the device. When the plug is dropped downwardly through the liquid in the well, the packer sleeve 8 will be in contracted ition and the water will escape upwa ly .around the outer face thereof and some of the same will find an outlet 'past the valve 12 through the channel 11.

tool will be released. This operation is performed by dropping the releasing sleeve23. The screws 29 are retracted by unscrewing them so that the-sleeve will drop. It will pass downwardly in the casing striking a low uponthe beveled upper face of the lugs 19, thus forcing the latches 20 inwardly and releasing them from the socket 4 so that they maybe drawn upwardly. The downward drop of the sleeve 23 will also deliver a blow upon the expanding ring 14 and serve to break the pins 15 so as to force the ring to move downwardly and expand the packet 8 in an obvious manner. If the first blow of the falling sleeve- 23 does not expand the packer the sleeve may be raised by means 0 the cable and the setting tool and again suddenly dropped. In this manner, blows may be delivered on the expanding ring and the packer until said packer is firmly expanded, against the casing. The ring will not only wedge the upper end of the packer outwardly, but will force the packer downwardly on the mandrel and thus also further expand it. To test whether the seal has been properly made, the valve'28 may be opened to see if there is an upward pressure tending to force the liquid out and if it is found that pressure still exists, it will be understood that the packer is not properly expanded andfurther pounding upon the packing member may be accompllshed by the use of the releasing sleeve 23 in'the manner described.

It is often desired to cement the bottom of the well after the plug has been, set. This may be accomplished with my device by removing the setting tool and releasing sleeve from the wall and forcing the cement, under high premure, downwardly through the casing and through the passage 11in the plug ast the valve 12 into the bottom of the we When the well below the plug has been properly cemented and allowed to set, it is possible to cement again above the plug if desired in an obvious manner.

The advant es of my device will be apparent to one ed in the art. The plug 7 releasable settin may be easily and positively expanded so as to seal the bottom of the well, and after it has been set it is stillpossible to cement both above and below the plug. The setting tool with its releasing device is positive in its operation and will not fail to work under ordinary circumstances;

Having thus described my invention, what Icclaim as new and desire to protect'by Letterr Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a central mandrel tapered upwardly from the lower end, a. packing sleeve of soft compressible material fitting on said mandrel, an expanding ring adjacent to the upper end of said tapered mandrel, releasable means to secure said ring to said'mandrel, a socket on the upper end of said mandrel, means adapted to engage within said*soc (et, and a releasing sleeve adapted to release said setting rue-ans, said ring and to expand said sleeve.

2. In a device of the character described, a central tubular mandrel ta ered upwardly from the lower end, a ac ing means on said mandrel adapted to expanded when moved downwardlythereon, an expanding ring on said mandrel adjacent the upper end of said packing means, fran ible means securing said ring to. said man rel, means to lower said device within the well and means to expand said prising a sleeve 'adapte to drop within the well to release said ring and expand said packing sleeve.

3. In a device of the character described, a central tubular mandrel taperedupwardly from the lower end, a ackiifg sleeve of compressible material fitting on said inandrel, means to help expand the packing sleeve at the upper end of said sleeve, a socket on the upper end of said mandrel, releasable setting means adapted to latch within said socket, means to, release said setting means and. expand said acker, and a govgnwardly opening valve-wit in said man- 4;. In a device ofthe character described, a central tubular mandrel, Packing means on the outer surface thereo a socket at the upper end of said mandrel, a releasable setting tool adapted to lower said mandrel in the well, a releasing sleeve adapted to release said setting tool and expand said packer and means to prevent the (passage of uidupwardly throu h saidman rel.

5. In a device of t e character described, a central tubular mandrel tapered ,upwardl from the lower end, a packing sleeve of so t metal fitting on said mandrel, said sleeve sacking means, com

being slit longitudinally along its central portion, a ring ad'acent the upper end of said tapered man rel, fran ible means 38-; curing said ring to said man rel, a socket on the upper end of said mandrel, releasable setting means adapted-to fit insaid socket to lower the same into the well, and a releasing sleeve adapted to release said setting means and to expand said packing sleeve on said mandrel. V

6. In a device of the character described, a central tubular mandrel, packing means on the outer surface thereof, meanss-comprising a tapered ring connected to said mandrel to protect said packing while said plu .is being introduced into the well',' and additional means to disconnect said protecting means and expand said packing.

In a device of the character described, a central mandrel tapered upwardly, an expansible packing means thereon, means above sai packing means to protect the same, a releasing sleeve adapted to strike setting tool from said mandrel expand said packer.

9. In a device of the character described, a mandrel, packing means thereon, means to set said plug in position in combination .with a releasin sleeve, and means to normally retain sai sleeve at the upper end of the well, said sleeve being adapted when dropped to release the setting means and also to expand said packing means.

10. In a device of the character described, an upwardly tapered mandrel, a packin sleeve thereon of compressible materia teeth of hard material in the outer surface of said sleeve, means to protect said sleeve from accidental expansion, and additional means to release said rotectingmeans and expand said packing s eeve.

11. In a packer plug for wells including a mandrel, a packing sleeve thereon, means releasably connected to said mandrel acting normally to protect said packin means and separate means to drive sai g protecting means down and expandsaidpackmge a In testimony whereof hereuntoaflix my signature this the 2nd day of April,A.- D. 1923. v

HOMER o. THRIFT. 

